Whether you've been on board for the past six years or even just six weeks, you probably know that Black Metal & Brews loves music and hates deadlines. We're already two months into 2018 and the internet's already full of rhetoric surrounding albums that are surely going to be impossible to top this year. I've done it before myself and I've been wrong more often than I've been right. Point being, this list is arriving right on time or my own schedule: long after anybody cares to read it but exactly when I find it within myself to share it. I've got forty albums that ruled in some way that I'll be linking alphabetically and ten that are the real premiums, which will be in their own little grouping. I hope I can shine some light on something you haven't heard, or at least I'll validate your superiority by leaving off the things that mattered most to you (although I'm always up for a recommendation if you've got one).
I spent most of 2017 in a sort of "time out" on extreme metal and this list reflects it. Much of it was because 95% of my listening was done via speakers in a workplace environment that wouldn't tolerate loud sounds (I get it) and it had an impact on the selections I made. I'm about to make a career change that will allow me to listen to music in privacy, so expect more of a return to form with my selections in 2018. There's a lot to listen to, so grab a nice drink or bookmark this page to casually visit at your own pace. If something looks unfamiliar, all the more reason to check it out. Enjoy!
Atriarch- Dead as Truth
Azar Swan- Savage Exile
Bootblacks- Fragments
Circle- Terminal
Cormorant- Diaspora
Dead Neanderthals- The Depths
Depeche Mode- Spirit
Drab Majesty- The Demonstration
Emptiness- Not for Music
Evilfeast- Elegies of the Stellar Wind
Expander- Endless Computer
Eye of Nix- Black Somnia
Faceless Entity- In Via Ad Nusquam
Gold- Optimist
Golden Donna- Carousel Hold
Hell- Hell
Internazionale- The Pale and the Colorful
Jon Edifice- Jon Edifice
King Woman- Created in the Image of Suffering
Korean Jade- Exotics
Laster- Ons vrije fatum
Lingua Ignota- All Bitches Die
Lussuria- Standstill
Malokarpatan- Nordkarpatenland
Mastodon- Emperor of Sand
Monarch!- Never Forever
Nemorensis- The Fae Queen
Nidingr- The High Heat Licks Against Heaven
Old Tower- The Rise of the Specter
Planning for Burial- Below the House
Raising Holy Sparks- Search for the Vanished Heaven
Roman Master- Roman Master
The Ruins of Beverast- Exuvia
Sanguine Relic- Bitter Reflection in Luminous Shadows
Snapped Ankles- Come Play the Trees
Spectral Voice- Eroded Corridors of Unbeing
TALSounds- Love Sick
Tchornobog- Tchornobog
Utzalu- The Loins of Repentance
Rick Weaver- The Secular Arm
TOP TEN ALBUMS OF 2017
Black Cilice- Banished from Time
Black Cilice was covered on Pitchfork a few years ago with the release of Mysteries. For many, this means the band is no longer relevant. For me, it means that serious underground talent need not put on a front or change to suit a perceived timid audience. Black Cilice continues to produce some of the most ripping black metal out there and they're even doing the occasional live gig now. That may be why this is just a bit more easily examined than its predecessors, although it still contains all of the dangerous spirit that the project has long embodied. Fingers firmly crossed that we'll all get to witness the spectacle one day.
Cathode Ray Eyes- How We Lost the 21st Century
I discovered Cathode Ray Eyes by accident shortly after the release of How We Lost the 21st Century and this unreal fusion of garage rock, psych and post-punk (with a little bit of a lot of other good stuff) has been a constant listen ever since. 2017 was, for me, the year where garage rock and psych stuff really clicked (hence the Snapped Ankles album up above and the Oh Sees album below) and this was probably the first new release to really hammer it home for me. The newness of this sound means I lack a bit of the vocabulary necessary to explain how the fuzz and reverb all come together to tickle my ears in just the right way, but I'll be damned if this doesn't run circles around a lot of bands out there who are merely treading water.
Fleurety- The White Death
True masters of black metal weirdness have returned! Along with Ved Buens Ende and Arcturus, Fleurety were instrumental in luring me out from my Danny Elfman and John Zorn obsessions and towards the darker side of zany when I was still a teenager. After a collection of odds and ends, I didn't really expect the band to lunge forth with something as cohesive and jarring as The White Death, but I now can't imagine my year really feeling the same without it. No gimmicks or goofs here, just a truly progressive take on black metal without any of the negative context that "prog" and its offshoots may hold for some of us. No limitations of genre can be thrown at this, yet it embodies so much of the freedom and excitement that define black metal to me without losing its precision.
GAS- Narkopop
2017 was the year I first became acquainted with Wolfgang Voigt's long-running project GAS, which released its first album in over sixteen years. Narkopop is pure atmosphere, fusing elements of minimalist techno and ambient with a sensibility more akin to modern classical composition than dancefloor jams. The lush photographs of the forest make perfect sense with this album, which feels far more organic and intuitive than many of its companions in the electronic music world. Ambient music is often a salve for sleep or "background music" yet Narkopop remains intriguing and oddly alluring even at its sparsest moments.
Human Leather- Lazy Karaoke
I saw a lot of rhetoric in 2017 likening Ulver's newest to Depeche Mode, but if anybody wore the crown of 80's pop perfection, it was newcomers Human Leather. The innocence of youth and the pain of loss and betrayal shine through in equal parts on this emotionally rich LP in a way that few bands have managed since "Shake the Disease" was released before the members of Human Leather were even born. I've spent a lot of time talking about this album publicly and in my conversations with friends and the impact still remains. "Ugly Sister" is still the most heartbreaking song I've heard in ages and the entire flow of this album leaves me aching and enthralled. As with any good pop music, this is memorable just as much for its sadness as it is for the hooks.
Integrity- Howling, for the Nightmare Shall Consume
This came out of nowhere. I've long been on the fence with Integrity, whose music always holds the right energy but hasn't always connected with me on any deeper level. Perhaps I was finally ready, because Howling, for the Nightmare Shall Consume kicked me in the teeth right out of the gate and hasn't lost an ounce of its vitality over the last several months. These are some of the most downright feral songs in extreme music to come out in 2017 and are more memorable than things of such intensity usually are. Integrity doesn't just have hooks, it has fucking teeth.
(Thee) Oh Sees- Orc
Songs with nods to fantastical beasts, dungeons, and swordplay are all familiar turf for fans of black metal, so to find a band like Oh Sees (recently shorn of their "Thee") playing with such notions in a new genre felt like comfort in a strange new land. I fell deeply in love with Orc on my first listen and have only grown fonder of it (and the band's massive existing catalog) ever since. These songs range from spastic, explosive garage rock to quirky, funky punk and even the massive sprawling space doom of "Drowned Beast" (video above). Fans of the band may find my take on this perhaps a bit weak, but I'm still so blinded by its brilliance that I can't quite place all the elements that make it so enjoyable.
Oxbow- Thin Black Duke
Oxbow's been threatening to release Thin Black Duke since shortly after 2007's Narcotic Story. Few albums are worth such a wait, but thankfully Oxbow didn't give us a Chinese Democracy, they gave us an album of such quality that most bands never release anything like it in their career. Oxbow's already touched that mark a few times, and this offering of noisy rock is alternately cinematic and angular, keeping the listener alert and always attentive. I had the good fortune of catching Oxbow live twice supporting this and these songs are vicious on their own onstage, yet somehow even more haunting on wax. We don't deserve this, but we're all so lucky it exists.
Ulver- The Assassination of Julius Caesar
Ulver is, aside from long-running classics Coil and The Cure, my favorite band. They aren't on my list as a matter of mere favoritism. They're my favorite because they can switch gears and directions a seemingly limitless number of times and remain honest and compelling. The Assassination of Julius Caesar brought together so many beautiful paths the band has walked in such a cohesive way that the end result was simultaneously familiar and entirely new. To call this "pop" would be slightly inaccurate, yet the infectious melodies and singalong sensibility elevate these songs to the highest echelon of rock music happening right now. This is timelessness captured in a moment.
Yellow Eyes- Immersion Trench Reverie
Brooklyn black metallers Yellow Eyes have fully hit their stride. On Sick With Bloom, the band fully realized its best strengths. With Immersion Trench Reverie, they highlighted them and played to them while making the most of their potent rhythm section's capacities. I've been gushing over these guys since 2012 and I feel as though I've run out of good ways to describe what they do. It's simply exhilarating to hear such nimble and evocative guitar work, and Will's voice has never been more tortured sounding than on these songs. My favorite song changes almost daily, but that's only indicative of how unified and forceful this album is. If you want to hear how rawness and potency can be retained in intricate, complex black metal, there is no other band on earth I could recommend as highly.
Showing posts with label ambient. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ambient. Show all posts
Friday, March 9, 2018
Thursday, January 25, 2018
2017's Finest: The Odds and Ends
While I've got a really cracking set of long-players to share with you at some point in the near future, I can't properly begin my end of 2017 coverage without acknowledging the stuff I loved the most that falls outside of the album format. Split albums, demos, EPs, and reissues are often vital territory for those of us in underground communities. The "best albums" format simply doesn't make the proper room for these crucial releases. Thankfully, I'm a nerd with a blog and not somebody with a demanding boss to appease, so I can share whatever the hell I want. That's why, before we get distracted by the (very amazing) albums that won me over last year, I want to highlight some real gems that arrived in other forms.
Noteworthy Reissues in 2017
Apokrifna Realnost- Na Rekah Vavilonskih (Annapurna)
Glad this got a reissue because I'd have never heard of it otherwise. Liturgical resonance and industrial collage sensibilities from an era when Current 93 and their peers were delving into many of the same waters. This has serious heart and is well worth a perusal.
Midori Takada- Through the Looking Glass (WRWTFWW/Palto Flats)
If you're anything like me, you've stumbled upon this album on YouTube while just clicking things that are "recommended" or look interesting. Fans of ambient music that didn't notice this or haven't heard it yet are in for a treat. Playful and full of life, this is far more vibrant than the average droning, mellow release. If you've got an imagination, you'll fall in love with it. I haven't picked up a record (yet) but I'm just so glad this is available on a larger scale and out of the realm of discogs obscurity.
Coil- Time Machines (Dais Records)
On the other end of the spectrum from that Midori Takada release is, well, something that is so droning it transcends conventional musical terminology. Again, I don't own this myself (sold out so fast during a poorer spot for me) but I'm glad it's out there again in some way. I'm biased here, but I trust it was very lovingly handled.
Boris Dzaneck- In His Own Words (Danger Records)
Seems this Dutch post-punk group of non-Borises named after some fictional character of their own creation are in good company here as beneficiaries of YouTube's algorithms bringing unsung gems to greater popularity. In His Own Words is delightfully tense and somewhat dance-ready music of the highest order. Glad to see this on vinyl for the first time ever.
Solid Space- Space Museum (Dark Entries)
This is one of my favorite albums by anybody. Ever. Finally got an official release on vinyl with bonus tracks. As with everything before this, it's not in my personal collection yet, but I'm just so damn glad it's out there and not going for hundreds on discogs. Quirky drum-machine driven post-punk and minimal synth from an era when neither of those terms was in circulation.
Secret Stairways- Enchantment of the Ring (Ancient Recollections)
Genres are weird. This is just beautiful and fantastic, although it falls under the general realm of dungeon synth. Peaceful, pure, ambient sounds that truly do feel like a path to somewhere unknown. The tape reissue of this is simple, but it needs little in the way of presentation. The bandcamp download is free, as the artist has passed on, but if you elect to pay they're making donations to animal shelters, his surviving family, and a cemetery in which the musician often wandered when he was alive. Beautiful atmospheres that you deserve to enjoy.
Mortiis- Era One Cassette Box (Children of the Night/Foreign Sounds)
The master himself has made a return to the dark dungeon music he pioneered in the '90s. Before he began doing all these special Era One performances, he worked with Children of the Night to reissue these classics on cassette. This special box is one of the few nostalgia-based purchases I made in 2017 and I have no regrets whatsoever. Bow before the king of dungeon synth. Extremely sold out, but each of the albums can be purchased or streamed directly from the artist's bandcamp. Do it.
Best Splits of 2017
Angelo Harmsworth/Theodore Schafer- Japanese Whisper (Angoisse)
This isn't really conventional music, but I still listened to it a hell of a lot. Field recordings are something of a bizarre obsession of mine and these compositions centered around two separate experiences in Japan are oddly calming to me. Check it out if you're into that sort of thing. I know I am.
Blood Tyrant/Departure Chandelier- (Nuclear War Now!)
I'll be real honest here. I think the Blood Tyrant track is damn good, but I'm a diehard Departure Chandelier fan and they're the reason this even appeared on my radar. Yeah, I know they've only released one demo. It's still a high water mark for nowadays black metal, and I'm totally here for this new output. Hopefully this means we'll finally get a proper LP from these guys. Please?
Altered Form/Sacramence (Everswallower Recordings/Funeral Party Records)
The cool thing about splits is that, in many cases, they allow fans of one artist to find something new and enjoyable. Sacramence has been a fixture in my listening habits since it was a black metal project, but Altered Form is new to these ears. The brilliant, dark synth work offered by both artists here makes this well worth a listen.
Det Svarta Landet/Dantefever- Our Ancient Lore (Self-Released)
Neither Det Svarta Landet nor fellow French dungeon synth and fantasy ambient artist Dantefever are well known yet, but both deserve serious attention. I profiled the former for my first bandcamp feature and have kept an eager eye out for more from the latter. This is alternately serene, playful, and otherworldly. Charming stuff from two fresh faces.
Sinmara/Misthyrming (Terratur Possessions)
In 2017 the buzz surrounding Icelandic black metal quieted down just a bit. I love most of the bands in the community, but sometimes it seems others struggle to take good art seriously if it gets too much attention. Amid the silence of the imaginary hivemind others seem to see, two of the scene's current heavyweights dropped a split that leaves no doubts: this is all teeth and no tongue. Hype, in this case, is warranted.
Whitehorse/Upyr (Vendetta Records)
Whitehorse is a band of many splits. Their work with The Body was the first thing I ever wrote about on this site, although that article is lost to time and expired domains. They continue the tradition of being unnaturally fierce and good at finding like-minded freaks with whom to work on this massive split. I veer far less towards the sludgy these days, but both artists here are so disgusting that I can't help but love this.
Tanner Garza & Funeral Parlor- Dark Days (Aural Canyon)
This album is a collaborative effort rather than a split, but as the editor and author alike, I give myself permission to include it. Tanner Garza's name has been scrawled upon the walls of this website more times than I care to admit, yet he seems to know how to create drone that is interesting and so directly human that I cannot ignore it. This work with fellow depression sufferer Funeral Parlor serves as both Funeral Parlor's final release and as something that explores the nuances of mental health in pure sound. It's not easy or as gentle as the term "ambient" might lead one to believe, but it's one hell of a listen.
Fister/CHRCH (Crown & Throne Limited)
Again, I'm utterly shocked by my own inclusion of TWO doomy sludgy splits here, but this just takes the cake. Fister and CHRCH are both near the top of the heap in the sludge genre these days, and each of these songs is as fine as, if not better than anything either has released to date. I'm not kidding when I say I seldom have the patience for this shit, but I found myself just playing the digital promo on repeat as if it were a full-length. Check it out or live with your regret and guilt.
Best EPs & Demos of 2017
Moray- Temporal Majesty (Lion's Jawbone)
Who knew visual artist Christian Degn was as talented a musician as he is with pencil and paper? Seriously, this shreds in a way that confounds my feeble brain. I don't even have one skill, yet Degn's got talent oozing out in every direction and I'm convinced he's probably going to become a famous filmmaker next. This is an absurdly clever death/black/thrash metal demo from somebody I'd have never expected to drop an album at all. Well worth keeping an eye out.
Weeping Sores- Weeping Sores (Dullest Records)
I know it's an apples and oranges thing, but for as stellar as Pyrrhon's new record is, I was somehow even more impressed by the debut of related project Weeping Sores. This EP (which is nearly album-length anyway) is chock-full of doomy, grotesque death metal that's every bit as ugly as the album cover would make you expect. If these wild men haven't won you over with their other endeavors, this drops some of the tech-y stuff but keeps every ounce of the ferocity.
Solar Temple- Rays of Brilliance (Fallen Empire/Haresis Noviomagi)
How can something so brief capture so much atmosphere and spirit? I don't have an answer, but I have had a serious experience with this. It's hard to tell if this appeals more to the basest parts of human instinct or the most otherworldly, almost spiritual purposes. Perhaps the two are the same. If you have the passion for black metal that I do, you'll understand the importance of this tape.
Heart of Palm- Arecaceae Marina (Aught Void)
The No Coast/No Hope staple Heart of Palm lands firmly as one of my favorite noisy releases of 2017 thanks to its shimmering fragility. The beauty here is as damaged as it is warm, lending unease to otherwise harmonious atmospheres. I envision the now corrupted coastlines of the Hawaii I loved as a child, where the beaches I once frequented have likely long since been converted to private property for hotels and the debauchery of the wealthy. Aught Void never slips on the quality of its releases, but this was the crown jewel of their output last year.
Oranssi Pazuzu- Kevät/Värimirsky (20 Buck Spin)
These Finns are kind of on top of the world right now. Their anything-goes experimental black metal somehow hasn't spawned anything tacky or ill-advised despite their fearless approach. These two new additions to an already top-notch catalog aren't breaking new ground for Oranssi Pazuzu, but maintain their momentum in a brilliant way.
Vanum- Burning Arrow (Psychic Violence)
From my profile of Vanum for Noisey: "The lush works from Realm of Sacrifice are given a worthy companion here in the form of a leaner and more urgent beast. What is left when stripped to a purer core is something more ferocious and classic in sound, yet it still retains the atmospheric qualities and passionate, burning energetic pulse that unites all work created by Vanum's members in their many projects." Total spiritual warfare. You already know what this sounds like.
False- Hunger (Gilead Media)
Minneapolis black metal group False crafts a mean epic, yet on Hunger, the script is flipped. These two rippers aren't even half the length of the average False song yet they still pack all the shifts and thrills that have helped them win over both headphone junkies and live audiences. Brevity isn't always the answer, but it's clear that False can handle more than one approach to the same genre.
Profit Prison- Myra (Hospital Productions)
Profit Prison is proof that you can have it all. Some of the catchiest synthpop/darkwave since that Oppenheimer Analysis reissue a few years back is presented as things open up, but there's also cutting edge dark ambient here through some sort of wizardry. This debut EP is ripe with potential and I can't wait to hear even more.
Winds of Gladsheimr- Harvest (House of First Light)
This is viciously triumphant black metal at its finest. House of First Light has become something of the gold standard for raw black metal in the United States lately and this latest release from Winds of Gladsheimr only strengthens this fact. This isn't about perfection (although it sounds damn great), this is a victory and the exhausted revelry of survivors after the battle.
Spiritual Cramp- Mass Hysteria (REACT! Records)
Ending on the highest note I could pick, intentionally. Spiritual Cramp's vocalist is an old friend of mine, but there's no favoritism here because I hold my friends to a higher standard than strangers, with whom I'm gentle. Bay area hardcore punk veterans come together to create something a bit jerkier, with more soul and swagger and it goes fucking HARD. Vocalist Mike B told me they're really into bands like Blitz and other oi! stuff, but I haven't got the punk credibility to decipher influences, this just feels weird and wild in every way I want. Each of the songs here has its own personality and the lyrics are simple and honest snapshots of real life. If you're into honest rock'n'roll that's as playful as it is punchy, check this out and catch 'em on the road with American Nightmare next month.
Noteworthy Reissues in 2017
Apokrifna Realnost- Na Rekah Vavilonskih (Annapurna)
Glad this got a reissue because I'd have never heard of it otherwise. Liturgical resonance and industrial collage sensibilities from an era when Current 93 and their peers were delving into many of the same waters. This has serious heart and is well worth a perusal.
Midori Takada- Through the Looking Glass (WRWTFWW/Palto Flats)
If you're anything like me, you've stumbled upon this album on YouTube while just clicking things that are "recommended" or look interesting. Fans of ambient music that didn't notice this or haven't heard it yet are in for a treat. Playful and full of life, this is far more vibrant than the average droning, mellow release. If you've got an imagination, you'll fall in love with it. I haven't picked up a record (yet) but I'm just so glad this is available on a larger scale and out of the realm of discogs obscurity.
Coil- Time Machines (Dais Records)
On the other end of the spectrum from that Midori Takada release is, well, something that is so droning it transcends conventional musical terminology. Again, I don't own this myself (sold out so fast during a poorer spot for me) but I'm glad it's out there again in some way. I'm biased here, but I trust it was very lovingly handled.
Boris Dzaneck- In His Own Words (Danger Records)
Seems this Dutch post-punk group of non-Borises named after some fictional character of their own creation are in good company here as beneficiaries of YouTube's algorithms bringing unsung gems to greater popularity. In His Own Words is delightfully tense and somewhat dance-ready music of the highest order. Glad to see this on vinyl for the first time ever.
Solid Space- Space Museum (Dark Entries)
This is one of my favorite albums by anybody. Ever. Finally got an official release on vinyl with bonus tracks. As with everything before this, it's not in my personal collection yet, but I'm just so damn glad it's out there and not going for hundreds on discogs. Quirky drum-machine driven post-punk and minimal synth from an era when neither of those terms was in circulation.
Secret Stairways- Enchantment of the Ring (Ancient Recollections)
Genres are weird. This is just beautiful and fantastic, although it falls under the general realm of dungeon synth. Peaceful, pure, ambient sounds that truly do feel like a path to somewhere unknown. The tape reissue of this is simple, but it needs little in the way of presentation. The bandcamp download is free, as the artist has passed on, but if you elect to pay they're making donations to animal shelters, his surviving family, and a cemetery in which the musician often wandered when he was alive. Beautiful atmospheres that you deserve to enjoy.
Mortiis- Era One Cassette Box (Children of the Night/Foreign Sounds)
The master himself has made a return to the dark dungeon music he pioneered in the '90s. Before he began doing all these special Era One performances, he worked with Children of the Night to reissue these classics on cassette. This special box is one of the few nostalgia-based purchases I made in 2017 and I have no regrets whatsoever. Bow before the king of dungeon synth. Extremely sold out, but each of the albums can be purchased or streamed directly from the artist's bandcamp. Do it.
Best Splits of 2017
Angelo Harmsworth/Theodore Schafer- Japanese Whisper (Angoisse)
This isn't really conventional music, but I still listened to it a hell of a lot. Field recordings are something of a bizarre obsession of mine and these compositions centered around two separate experiences in Japan are oddly calming to me. Check it out if you're into that sort of thing. I know I am.
Blood Tyrant/Departure Chandelier- (Nuclear War Now!)
I'll be real honest here. I think the Blood Tyrant track is damn good, but I'm a diehard Departure Chandelier fan and they're the reason this even appeared on my radar. Yeah, I know they've only released one demo. It's still a high water mark for nowadays black metal, and I'm totally here for this new output. Hopefully this means we'll finally get a proper LP from these guys. Please?
Altered Form/Sacramence (Everswallower Recordings/Funeral Party Records)
The cool thing about splits is that, in many cases, they allow fans of one artist to find something new and enjoyable. Sacramence has been a fixture in my listening habits since it was a black metal project, but Altered Form is new to these ears. The brilliant, dark synth work offered by both artists here makes this well worth a listen.
Det Svarta Landet/Dantefever- Our Ancient Lore (Self-Released)
Neither Det Svarta Landet nor fellow French dungeon synth and fantasy ambient artist Dantefever are well known yet, but both deserve serious attention. I profiled the former for my first bandcamp feature and have kept an eager eye out for more from the latter. This is alternately serene, playful, and otherworldly. Charming stuff from two fresh faces.
Sinmara/Misthyrming (Terratur Possessions)
In 2017 the buzz surrounding Icelandic black metal quieted down just a bit. I love most of the bands in the community, but sometimes it seems others struggle to take good art seriously if it gets too much attention. Amid the silence of the imaginary hivemind others seem to see, two of the scene's current heavyweights dropped a split that leaves no doubts: this is all teeth and no tongue. Hype, in this case, is warranted.
Whitehorse/Upyr (Vendetta Records)
Whitehorse is a band of many splits. Their work with The Body was the first thing I ever wrote about on this site, although that article is lost to time and expired domains. They continue the tradition of being unnaturally fierce and good at finding like-minded freaks with whom to work on this massive split. I veer far less towards the sludgy these days, but both artists here are so disgusting that I can't help but love this.
Tanner Garza & Funeral Parlor- Dark Days (Aural Canyon)
This album is a collaborative effort rather than a split, but as the editor and author alike, I give myself permission to include it. Tanner Garza's name has been scrawled upon the walls of this website more times than I care to admit, yet he seems to know how to create drone that is interesting and so directly human that I cannot ignore it. This work with fellow depression sufferer Funeral Parlor serves as both Funeral Parlor's final release and as something that explores the nuances of mental health in pure sound. It's not easy or as gentle as the term "ambient" might lead one to believe, but it's one hell of a listen.
Fister/CHRCH (Crown & Throne Limited)
Again, I'm utterly shocked by my own inclusion of TWO doomy sludgy splits here, but this just takes the cake. Fister and CHRCH are both near the top of the heap in the sludge genre these days, and each of these songs is as fine as, if not better than anything either has released to date. I'm not kidding when I say I seldom have the patience for this shit, but I found myself just playing the digital promo on repeat as if it were a full-length. Check it out or live with your regret and guilt.
Best EPs & Demos of 2017
Moray- Temporal Majesty (Lion's Jawbone)
Who knew visual artist Christian Degn was as talented a musician as he is with pencil and paper? Seriously, this shreds in a way that confounds my feeble brain. I don't even have one skill, yet Degn's got talent oozing out in every direction and I'm convinced he's probably going to become a famous filmmaker next. This is an absurdly clever death/black/thrash metal demo from somebody I'd have never expected to drop an album at all. Well worth keeping an eye out.
Weeping Sores- Weeping Sores (Dullest Records)
I know it's an apples and oranges thing, but for as stellar as Pyrrhon's new record is, I was somehow even more impressed by the debut of related project Weeping Sores. This EP (which is nearly album-length anyway) is chock-full of doomy, grotesque death metal that's every bit as ugly as the album cover would make you expect. If these wild men haven't won you over with their other endeavors, this drops some of the tech-y stuff but keeps every ounce of the ferocity.
Solar Temple- Rays of Brilliance (Fallen Empire/Haresis Noviomagi)
How can something so brief capture so much atmosphere and spirit? I don't have an answer, but I have had a serious experience with this. It's hard to tell if this appeals more to the basest parts of human instinct or the most otherworldly, almost spiritual purposes. Perhaps the two are the same. If you have the passion for black metal that I do, you'll understand the importance of this tape.
Heart of Palm- Arecaceae Marina (Aught Void)
The No Coast/No Hope staple Heart of Palm lands firmly as one of my favorite noisy releases of 2017 thanks to its shimmering fragility. The beauty here is as damaged as it is warm, lending unease to otherwise harmonious atmospheres. I envision the now corrupted coastlines of the Hawaii I loved as a child, where the beaches I once frequented have likely long since been converted to private property for hotels and the debauchery of the wealthy. Aught Void never slips on the quality of its releases, but this was the crown jewel of their output last year.
Oranssi Pazuzu- Kevät/Värimirsky (20 Buck Spin)
These Finns are kind of on top of the world right now. Their anything-goes experimental black metal somehow hasn't spawned anything tacky or ill-advised despite their fearless approach. These two new additions to an already top-notch catalog aren't breaking new ground for Oranssi Pazuzu, but maintain their momentum in a brilliant way.
Vanum- Burning Arrow (Psychic Violence)
From my profile of Vanum for Noisey: "The lush works from Realm of Sacrifice are given a worthy companion here in the form of a leaner and more urgent beast. What is left when stripped to a purer core is something more ferocious and classic in sound, yet it still retains the atmospheric qualities and passionate, burning energetic pulse that unites all work created by Vanum's members in their many projects." Total spiritual warfare. You already know what this sounds like.
False- Hunger (Gilead Media)
Minneapolis black metal group False crafts a mean epic, yet on Hunger, the script is flipped. These two rippers aren't even half the length of the average False song yet they still pack all the shifts and thrills that have helped them win over both headphone junkies and live audiences. Brevity isn't always the answer, but it's clear that False can handle more than one approach to the same genre.
Profit Prison- Myra (Hospital Productions)
Profit Prison is proof that you can have it all. Some of the catchiest synthpop/darkwave since that Oppenheimer Analysis reissue a few years back is presented as things open up, but there's also cutting edge dark ambient here through some sort of wizardry. This debut EP is ripe with potential and I can't wait to hear even more.
Winds of Gladsheimr- Harvest (House of First Light)
This is viciously triumphant black metal at its finest. House of First Light has become something of the gold standard for raw black metal in the United States lately and this latest release from Winds of Gladsheimr only strengthens this fact. This isn't about perfection (although it sounds damn great), this is a victory and the exhausted revelry of survivors after the battle.
Spiritual Cramp- Mass Hysteria (REACT! Records)
Ending on the highest note I could pick, intentionally. Spiritual Cramp's vocalist is an old friend of mine, but there's no favoritism here because I hold my friends to a higher standard than strangers, with whom I'm gentle. Bay area hardcore punk veterans come together to create something a bit jerkier, with more soul and swagger and it goes fucking HARD. Vocalist Mike B told me they're really into bands like Blitz and other oi! stuff, but I haven't got the punk credibility to decipher influences, this just feels weird and wild in every way I want. Each of the songs here has its own personality and the lyrics are simple and honest snapshots of real life. If you're into honest rock'n'roll that's as playful as it is punchy, check this out and catch 'em on the road with American Nightmare next month.
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
A Benefit for Stephen Petrus: "When one has nothing left make ceremonies out of the air and breathe upon them"
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
New from Sol y Nieve: Nemorensis & Hellebore
Today I'm featuring two releases currently available for a discounted pre-order from Sol y Nieve. It's been a few reviews since I touched on something purely black metal, so this is a perfect fit. I've always been thrilled with Sol y Nieve's releases and these two show the label continuing a tradition of working with bands that are unheard yet as talented as larger names. I'm super excited about these two tapes, so let's jump right in.
Starting things off here is Nemorensis, with its epic offering, "The Lady In The Lake." Clocking in at 27:27, this is a monolithic beast that works in movements more than functioning like a song rooted in rock structure. The opening section has a slowed down, ethereal gloom that features a melody that strongly reminds me of Depeche Mode's "Policy of Truth" at about 20% of its normal speed. It's haunting and beautiful, but feels somewhat like drowning or falling into an unplanned, drugged sleep. The ominous nature of this otherworldly drone begins to peak as chants and voices emerge, as if carried across great distances by an unexpected wind. As soon as I'm almost entirely lulled into calmness, I'm startled by the dissolution of peace as electric guitars are introduced. Dissonance begins to take hold, yet the guitars begin as merely an extension of the droning ambiance, slowly growing into something entirely of independent. Like an ancient evil awakening from slumber, it rises slowly into view, growing more dreadful by the minute, dripping with grime and reeking of death. With a transition so slow it's almost unnoticeable, the music shifts from droning guitars to a more aggressive, decidedly black metal approach, with a jagged pulsing approach that all but buries the distant percussion. By the end, the song builds to a radiant, glistening passage that feels like a rawer cousin of Lustre. In case my words don't make it obvious, this is already one of the most exciting things I expect to hear this year. Sol Y Nieve's release of this gem is limited to 100 cassettes, packaged in a plastic case with a heavy stock J-card and a scroll attached with twine.
As if one massive, spacey black metal release wasn't enough, Sol y Nieve will also be releasing Hellebore's "Anouof Thwo." I have no idea what the title means, but the album art leads me to believe that the cosmic atmospheres have a lyrical direction that matches. While I don't listen to too many bands that take ambient black metal this far, this release genuinely captivates me. While my initial listen left me slightly confused and uncertain about my feelings, repeated visits have planted this in my head. Pounding rhythms and oddly textured leads are par for the course here, but this does not make for a straightforward listen. I'm all for unorthodox, and Hellebore seems keen on delivering just enough strangeness for me to be hooked without running the risk of scaring away more traditional listeners. Even the mellower interludes here (like stunning yet brief centerpiece "Udrea") have an unearthly feeling that isn't quite sad so much as detached, which really adds depth to the experience for me. The vocals have enough reverb to resonate across the void yet they aren't as buried as many similar bands might have them, allowing for a more balanced approach that still yields a raw coldness that pleases me. This surprised me in many ways and I'm glad I gave it a full and fair listen. It's limited to 100 copies on cassette with a heavy stock J-card and a button.
Starting things off here is Nemorensis, with its epic offering, "The Lady In The Lake." Clocking in at 27:27, this is a monolithic beast that works in movements more than functioning like a song rooted in rock structure. The opening section has a slowed down, ethereal gloom that features a melody that strongly reminds me of Depeche Mode's "Policy of Truth" at about 20% of its normal speed. It's haunting and beautiful, but feels somewhat like drowning or falling into an unplanned, drugged sleep. The ominous nature of this otherworldly drone begins to peak as chants and voices emerge, as if carried across great distances by an unexpected wind. As soon as I'm almost entirely lulled into calmness, I'm startled by the dissolution of peace as electric guitars are introduced. Dissonance begins to take hold, yet the guitars begin as merely an extension of the droning ambiance, slowly growing into something entirely of independent. Like an ancient evil awakening from slumber, it rises slowly into view, growing more dreadful by the minute, dripping with grime and reeking of death. With a transition so slow it's almost unnoticeable, the music shifts from droning guitars to a more aggressive, decidedly black metal approach, with a jagged pulsing approach that all but buries the distant percussion. By the end, the song builds to a radiant, glistening passage that feels like a rawer cousin of Lustre. In case my words don't make it obvious, this is already one of the most exciting things I expect to hear this year. Sol Y Nieve's release of this gem is limited to 100 cassettes, packaged in a plastic case with a heavy stock J-card and a scroll attached with twine.
As if one massive, spacey black metal release wasn't enough, Sol y Nieve will also be releasing Hellebore's "Anouof Thwo." I have no idea what the title means, but the album art leads me to believe that the cosmic atmospheres have a lyrical direction that matches. While I don't listen to too many bands that take ambient black metal this far, this release genuinely captivates me. While my initial listen left me slightly confused and uncertain about my feelings, repeated visits have planted this in my head. Pounding rhythms and oddly textured leads are par for the course here, but this does not make for a straightforward listen. I'm all for unorthodox, and Hellebore seems keen on delivering just enough strangeness for me to be hooked without running the risk of scaring away more traditional listeners. Even the mellower interludes here (like stunning yet brief centerpiece "Udrea") have an unearthly feeling that isn't quite sad so much as detached, which really adds depth to the experience for me. The vocals have enough reverb to resonate across the void yet they aren't as buried as many similar bands might have them, allowing for a more balanced approach that still yields a raw coldness that pleases me. This surprised me in many ways and I'm glad I gave it a full and fair listen. It's limited to 100 copies on cassette with a heavy stock J-card and a button.
Saturday, January 11, 2014
Rei Rea- "Selected Works I: Still Suns" CS (Union Finale)
In mid-December I was contacted by Rei Rea, inquiring about the possibility of a review. While I always give a look and listen to emails I receive, I was particularly captivated by the unique fusion of sounds and visuals. You see, Rei Rea serves as the musical output of visual artist Christian Dubé. With knowledge of his works as a painter and general madman, it's impossible to listen to "Selected Works I: Still Suns" without imagining the music as some kind of visual music. While I often experience music in colors and patterns, it's rare that I imagine the creator using some sort of sonic brush strokes, but this album makes perfect sense in that context.
Drone and noise are terms that come to mind, but Rei Rea's work rarely commits itself to an easily categorized set of sounds. Instead, the elements of each song leave trails through multiple sets of sounds, frequently unsettling and troubling, but rarely horrific, allowing an experience that is unique while still relatively familiar. I find this album is one that either warrants headphones or a great sound system, as immersing oneself in the anxiety-inducing atmospheres here yields far greater results than simply dipping one's toes in it. Tracks like "Throne of Papa" introduce just enough beauty to keep the listener optimistic, if not even instilling a sense of euphoria. This elation is mostly to balance out the dread, which comes in waves between the moments of respite. Still, this is not the relentless horror of so many artists working with noise. This is more of the monotony of working for life only to die poor. This is a sonic painting in broad strokes of grey, brown, rust red, and black. Pain and suffering are present, but are accompanied by the small joys and moments of personal satisfaction. Perhaps Rei Rea is exactly this outlet for Dubé, the place away from the chaos.
The artist recommended pairing this album with an IPA, but I've been quite under the weather lately and have not been able to drink much of anything other than tea. That said, I'll recommend the exact beer he shared with me in an email conversation. It's not locally available for me, but he says it's quite potent. Rei Rea recommends drinking Le Castor Brewing Company's Yakima IPA. It's a Montreal-based brewery, so those of us in the United States might struggle to find it, but I hope my friends up north can enjoy a bottle while listening to this album. Cassette copies are available from Union Finale, and each tape comes with a large poster of the album art, making it a total steal. Stream the album here if my words aren't enough to convince you.
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Cronesmoon, Gulag, Ekadzati & Anatra: The Many Voices of Zareen Katherine Price
It was not until Record Store Day of last year that I became familiar with the music of Zareen Katherine Price. A friend posted about a sale (I believe it was one tape free with the purchase of three?) her label Milam Records was hosting, so I paid the label's bandcamp page a visit and listened. Within an hour I decided to order a small handful of tapes from Serpentina, Ekadzati, Mare Cognitum, and Greed & Rapacity. A few months later, through wonders of social media, we came to be acquainted. Having enjoyed her previous works, I have elected to review two separate cassettes (released with no label affiliation) featuring songs from many separate projects of hers in which is the sole member (with friend Dan Nahum assisting on drums). For one artist to have so many separate projects might seem silly to some, but it's evident that each of these projects needs its own space and concept, even if the sounds might be complementary when placed on the same cassette tape.
First, we're examining "VII MMXIII", a split between her three projects Ekadzati, Gulag, and Anatra. The album flows sequentially, with Ekadzati contributing two songs, and Gulag and Anatra sharing one each. Wasting no time, Ekadzati's track "Argham" opens things up with ravenous higher register shrieks and trebly tremolo picking backed with constant drumming. The swelling of sounds feels like an ocean storm, tormenting the listener for a couple of minutes before finally engulfing them. Interestingly enough, while writing this review, I took a look at the lyrics, which give a detailed description of what appears to be an intentional drowning. The ominous nature of the music pairs quite well with the lyrical intensity, but it's especially nice when Ekadzati takes a moment to build up tension with the reflective introduction to "Padyam." I really hate track by track reviews, but in a tape with such diverse sounds, this really just makes sense. As soon as the listener is lulled into comfort, it's back into the typhoon of insanity. Unlike its predecessor, the song relents rather than ending with an assault, showing the many different musical sides of Zareen Katherine Price with just one of her projects.
Up next is Gulag, with "Inscribed in Skin." The song lurches in appropriately enough with frantic low-end fixated guitars and some sort of hideous belch. While not wholly removed from black metal, this more greatly resembles a faster and more aggressive take on the cavernous death metal that's become quite fashionable lately. The song's progression sees the pace escalating wildly until a sudden stop with the crash of a cymbal.
Flipping the cassette, we are presented with Anatra's contribution, "Wind Over Water." In stark contrast to the violent chaos of Gulag, the song opens with a repeatedly chiming bell of some sort. Slightly meditative, slightly foreboding, it perfectly sets the pace for this nearly lengthy piece of dark ambient exploration. With the title in mind, one hears the howling static of cold winds blowing over an empty bay. In the distance you might think you hear the echoes of something resembling human sounds, but they never present themselves as anything other than a possibility. While the song is initially maddening, I find myself becoming more immersed in it about halfway in. Smaller, higher pitched sounds occasionally slither in and out, allowing just enough variation for my attention to remain on the sounds. At the cassette's end, I am left neither at peace nor troubled. Perhaps this was intentional. It does not feel like an intended goal was missed. Indeed, I feel like the B-side is the palate cleanser for the aggression and turmoil of the A-side. While each of the three acts stands alone, the pairing works brilliantly here.
The second cassette featured today is still up for sale: "XI MMXIII." This is a split between Gulag and the newest of Price's projects: Cronesmoon. Gulag's song here, "Icosahedral Keys to the Fleshly Gate" instantly feels like a more focused and accessible beast than "Inscribed in Skin," with an intentionally awkward marching pace starting things off before delving straight into a valiant and driven mid-section. Gulag is self-described as "war metal," and the pacing of this song is the strongest evidence I've found so far. Galloping and violent, this feels like far more of a statement of intent, although both songs are quite enjoyable and clearly come from a similar place musically. In another presentation of direct contrast, Cronesmoon follows Gulag with the closest thing Price has created to traditional second wave black metal sounds, "Sister Tongues of Rain." There's certainly a slightly more cerebral and involved way of approaching the music here, almost as if the progressive and psychedelic leanings of modern-day incarnations of more established black metal bands were infused into the classics of the early nineties. While the song is longer than most of Price's other metal-rooted songs, the furious nature of the song makes it feel like it has passed all too quickly, ending the cassette.
With three projects poised for more output (it does appear that Ekadzati is being put to rest, at least for the time being) I can only recommend you keep an eye on her output however you're able. Even if one of her many projects doesn't appeal to you, another just might. Additionally, all music described here can be heard by clicking the links to each of the album titles. Usually bandcamp embed codes work just fine but today they're being a pain. Rather than delaying this review, I'm just going to force you guys to click links. Thanks for your patience.
Friday, December 20, 2013
Top Noise, Drone, Experimental, & Electronic Releases of 2013
Hey readers, welcome to the second of my posts rounding up the most exciting and enjoyable releases of 2013. This is another catch-all type post, but instead of focusing on things that wouldn't normally appear on my website, this entry is a journey through all of the strange, potentially unclassifiable releases that have graced my ears over the course of the past year. I was initially considering making a list for harsher forms of sonic experimentation and a separate list for mellower stuff or things with roots in other genres, but I realized that I'd be in far too deep if I made a million separate categories, so without further ado, I present the best BM&B approved albums that aren't quite metal, but are entirely worth my readers' time.
25. K11- "Another Temple to the Great Beast 666" (Utech)
From horror to bliss and back, "Another Temple to the Great Beast 666" is an album that (like many here) can't truly be described with words. It's a series of experiences that weave in and out of each other. From subtle sounds of nature, as if one were actually visiting the ruins of an ancient temple, to roaring tones that evoke images of demonic rituals, this album touches on many different areas of noise and drone, keeping things fresh from start to finish.
24. Machismo- "Severe Disconnect" (Depravity Label)
-----
23. Sunken Cathedral- "Sunken Cathedral" (Black Horizons)
Slow moving, textured drone atmospheres aplenty on this release. It all feels very organic and you can practically feel the moss growing on the ruins of something ancient and sacred. Blissful and mind melting, perhaps both for the same reason.
22. Trepaneringsritualen- "The Totality of Death" (Malignant Records/Silken Tofu)
As one of the first death industrial projects I ever heard, Trepaneringsritualen has long been a reference point for me when discussing the bleaker side of music. With this two disc set, with each CD being released by a separate label, this project visits new depths that set me on edge in all the ways I needed. It's hard to state how much of an endurance test this release can be at times, but the reward is all the more enjoyable after repeated listens.
-----
21. Body of Light- "Volonta di Amore" (Chondritic Sound)
Surprisingly beautiful and almost entirely reminiscent of new wave, this tape instantly captured my attention and should do the same for you. My only complaint is that it's far too brief, but as always, that just means it's good for multiple listens in one sitting.
20. Dylan Ettinger/Goldendust- "The Pale Mare/Truth" (DKA Records)
This split 7" is the first release from fledgling label DKA Records and offers one brief yet engaging track from each artist. Ettinger's side features dense beats, seemingly rooted in rap/hip-hop, which are paired with elegant and simple electronic melodies and heavily warped vocals. Goldendust's side contrasts the almost claustrophobic dance vibe of Ettinger with a hazy, mellow ballad that might seem a bit sleepy at first listen, but proves truly addictive over time.
19. Brennendes Gehirn & Dorian Williamson- "Rites of the Aethyr" (Antithetic)
This collaborative release surprised me despite my familiarity with Williamson's primary work in drone duo Northumbria. Traveling from entirely welcoming and comforting bass drones to the vast emptiness of the abandoned remnants of once great cities, this release kept me guessing the whole time, and subsequent listens only reinforced the strengths demonstrated here. I hope these two minds meet to collaborate again. Read my review for greater details.
18. Judas Christ- "American Gulag" (Male Activity)
This one was submitted for review and the name struck me as silly. Then I realized I couldn't stop listening to it. My review should sum up my thoughts on this fantastic offering from this bleak new group.
-----
17. wet nurse.- "Flux Emission" (Male Activity)
Overwhelmingly depressing power electronics with unconventional structures, if there is such a thing as a conventional structure in noise. One of the albums that convinced me that analog purists sometimes miss out on real gems. Read my full review here.
-----
16. Waves Crashing Piano Chords & Tanner Garza- "de Sade" (Forever Escaping Boredom)
At times terrifying and others merely disconcerting, this collaboration between two competent noise musicians was one of those tapes that REALLY wasn't long enough. With a mere two tracks of collaboration between these individuals that barely makes the eight minute mark, I can only hope that this is a teaser for some sort of horrifying opus rather than a brief melding of minds. Read my full review for further details.
-----
15. The Stargazer's Assistant- "Mirrors & Tides, Shivers & Voids" (Utech)
Possibly the most conventionally accessible release on this list, this album has been one of my most heavily played of the year. My thoughts on this 2x10" release can be found over at Hammer Smashed Sound.
14. The Vomit Arsonist- "An Occasion for Death" (Malignant Records)
The melancholy drone and noise experimentation of The Vomit Arsonist caught me by surprise earlier this year and never really let go. It seems there's no occasion for which this album didn't feel appropriate this year. Read my review and go buy a copy.
-----
13. Swallowing Bile- "Wojtek" (Sounding Session)
To pick a single Swallowing Bile release and say "this is the one" is hard. This fresh project has already proven to be a powerhouse in the noise and power electronics communities, and "Wojtek" was the first of his albums I obtained this year. It also happened to be the one I've listened to most frequently. It's quite safe to say this is one of the only truly harsh releases I loved enough to include on this list, so if you're curious about more extreme sounds but aren't fully prepared for them, give this tape a listen and see if you're ready.
-----
12. Breathing Problem- "Reactive Attachment Disorder" (Wohrt Records)
Easily one of the most depressing and fluid power electronics releases of the year, "Reactive Attachment Disorder" was an early find for me and has remained as gripping as the first time I listened. While it's hard to recommend this for everybody, brave fans of the genre will find this tape incredibly rewarding. Read my review for full details.
-----
11. Crowhurst- "Memory Loss" (Self-Released)
After reviewing Crowhurst's ominous "Death Van" earlier this year, it was a pleasant surprise to find an even more thrilling release from this nebulous entity. What kind of music does Crowhurst perform? It depends on the release. With roots in noise, Crowhurst seems intent on spreading its horrifying little fingers in every direction. "Memory Loss" is some of the most detached yet focused work I've heard from this project to date. Listen and fall in love.
-----
10. Bodystocking- "Sheer Spidertouch" (Strange Rules)
As with most Strange Rules cassettes, it's rather unlikely this one will surface for purchase at any point in the near future, but I managed to snag a copy with great luck. This rather prolific side project from A Pregnant Light/Colloquial Sound Recordings mastermind is a dense, beautiful industrial endeavor and this (along with many releases on CSR sublabel Locust Leg) has captivated me in a way I may not have initially expected. The motion never stops. The beauty is more than superficial. Keep an eye out for more from Bodystocking, and don't expect it to last long when copies do surface.
9. Synsophony- "Karmic Existence" (Acephale Winter Productions)
This free digital EP is one of the few releases I was uncertain about placing here rather than in my black metal section. Still, as an absolutely horrifying drone release, this absolutely belongs on this list and is one of the unsung albums of the year that I still can't believe didn't receive more attention. This absolutely deserves to be heard by everybody. Read my review for more information and get ready for a new EP in early 2014.
-----
8. Herukrat- "Anna Karina" (SVN OKKLT)
This tape is harsh noise wall with a purpose. Focused, obsessive, and in control, Herukrat guides the listener perfectly. My friend Tom at Metallic Imagery described this better than I ever could. Download this sold out cassette and lose your mind.
-----
7. Jason Hodge- "Hope Has Abandoned Us" (Enemata)
This heartbreaking, pensive cassette has been a frequent companion over the past year. Jason Hodge has released a few tapes this year, each of which has proven to be truly dynamic in its approach to noise. Like any of his works, this album feels fresh and Hodge's commitment to creating something unique is fulfilled through the course of his work. Read my complete review and grab a copy for yourself.
-----
6. Khfiva- "I" (Male Activity)
Shimmering beauty paired with depressing atmospheres. Khfiva's debut cassette's only weakness is how short it is. Read my complete review here, and visit my friend Tom at Metallic Imagery to download this long sold out gem.
5. a death cinematic- "corrosions of traveled daydreams" (Tycho Magnetic Anomalies/Simple Box Construction)
As one of the most brilliantly packaged releases of the year, this should instantly appeal to anybody who gets into the visual component of owning music. As one of the most engaging and desolate experimental/drone cassettes released this year, this should have sold out a long time ago, but it hasn't. Get it if you haven't already. Read my complete review for more reasons you need this.
-----
4. Image of Life- "Weight Loss During Wartime/Walking in the Dark" (Chondritic Sound)
Easily one of the most frequently played 7" records in my collection, this one is two perfect tracks of coldwave brilliance. Whether it's the featured A-side's frantically catchy madness or the plodding gloom of B-side "Walking in the Dark," this one is absolutely amazing. For bonus giggles and enjoyment, slow things down and play it at 33 instead of 45--it gets super dark and totally fun. If only I could find a copy of their full-length cassette, I'd be quite happy.
-----
3. Tollund Men- "Virbius Abstract" (Nostilevo)
While Tollund Men managed to release two excellent tapes this year (possibly three, depending on the timeliness of the impending Total Black tape/shirt combo), it's safe to say that this one received more play in my house than pretty much the entire Tollund Men discography combined. While my very amateur interview with Neal touched on this release to some degree, I never gave it the proper review it deserves. I can't really put a genre to this music, but it's both melodic and uninviting at the same time. There's a heavy layer of distortion and reverb that seems to eat half the sound coming out, which only makes these four songs more intriguing, as multiple listens yield a deeper understanding of the music contained within. I seriously can't get enough of this tape and I imagine I'll be listening to it frequently well into 2014.
-----
2. Crown of Cerberus- "With Arms Extended to the Heavens" (Depravity Label)
Early this year I was almost certain that this would be my top album of the year, and I was almost right. The gorgeous A-side contrasts perfectly with the somewhat startling B-side, making for a thoroughly enjoyable experience. I wrote a lot of nice words about this tape over at Hammer Smashed Sound, and you should read them if you aren't convinced that you need this in your life simply by its high placement on this list.
-----
1. Tanner Garza- "Lucid" (Static Reason)
I feel it's almost wrong of me to feature the talented Mr. Garza twice in one list, but I'm doing it out of necessity. In almost direct contrast to the meandering madness of his other release on this list, "Lucid" is one of the warmest, most inviting albums I've had the pleasure of hearing all year. There are so many things I could say about this tape, but I've already said them on Hammer Smashed Sound, and I need not ramble any longer on this huge post.
25. K11- "Another Temple to the Great Beast 666" (Utech)
From horror to bliss and back, "Another Temple to the Great Beast 666" is an album that (like many here) can't truly be described with words. It's a series of experiences that weave in and out of each other. From subtle sounds of nature, as if one were actually visiting the ruins of an ancient temple, to roaring tones that evoke images of demonic rituals, this album touches on many different areas of noise and drone, keeping things fresh from start to finish.
-----'
Easily some of the most static and turbulent noise I've heard, "Severe Disconnect" is like leaving reality behind in a moment of pure fear. If this group isn't out to directly cause harm to the listener, they're certainly skilled at making me think otherwise. Violence embodied. Don't know how this hasn't sold out yet. Get it while you can.
-----
23. Sunken Cathedral- "Sunken Cathedral" (Black Horizons)
Slow moving, textured drone atmospheres aplenty on this release. It all feels very organic and you can practically feel the moss growing on the ruins of something ancient and sacred. Blissful and mind melting, perhaps both for the same reason.
-----
22. Trepaneringsritualen- "The Totality of Death" (Malignant Records/Silken Tofu)
As one of the first death industrial projects I ever heard, Trepaneringsritualen has long been a reference point for me when discussing the bleaker side of music. With this two disc set, with each CD being released by a separate label, this project visits new depths that set me on edge in all the ways I needed. It's hard to state how much of an endurance test this release can be at times, but the reward is all the more enjoyable after repeated listens.
-----
21. Body of Light- "Volonta di Amore" (Chondritic Sound)
Surprisingly beautiful and almost entirely reminiscent of new wave, this tape instantly captured my attention and should do the same for you. My only complaint is that it's far too brief, but as always, that just means it's good for multiple listens in one sitting.
-----
This split 7" is the first release from fledgling label DKA Records and offers one brief yet engaging track from each artist. Ettinger's side features dense beats, seemingly rooted in rap/hip-hop, which are paired with elegant and simple electronic melodies and heavily warped vocals. Goldendust's side contrasts the almost claustrophobic dance vibe of Ettinger with a hazy, mellow ballad that might seem a bit sleepy at first listen, but proves truly addictive over time.
-----
19. Brennendes Gehirn & Dorian Williamson- "Rites of the Aethyr" (Antithetic)
This collaborative release surprised me despite my familiarity with Williamson's primary work in drone duo Northumbria. Traveling from entirely welcoming and comforting bass drones to the vast emptiness of the abandoned remnants of once great cities, this release kept me guessing the whole time, and subsequent listens only reinforced the strengths demonstrated here. I hope these two minds meet to collaborate again. Read my review for greater details.
-----
18. Judas Christ- "American Gulag" (Male Activity)
This one was submitted for review and the name struck me as silly. Then I realized I couldn't stop listening to it. My review should sum up my thoughts on this fantastic offering from this bleak new group.
-----
17. wet nurse.- "Flux Emission" (Male Activity)
Overwhelmingly depressing power electronics with unconventional structures, if there is such a thing as a conventional structure in noise. One of the albums that convinced me that analog purists sometimes miss out on real gems. Read my full review here.
-----
16. Waves Crashing Piano Chords & Tanner Garza- "de Sade" (Forever Escaping Boredom)
At times terrifying and others merely disconcerting, this collaboration between two competent noise musicians was one of those tapes that REALLY wasn't long enough. With a mere two tracks of collaboration between these individuals that barely makes the eight minute mark, I can only hope that this is a teaser for some sort of horrifying opus rather than a brief melding of minds. Read my full review for further details.
-----
15. The Stargazer's Assistant- "Mirrors & Tides, Shivers & Voids" (Utech)
Possibly the most conventionally accessible release on this list, this album has been one of my most heavily played of the year. My thoughts on this 2x10" release can be found over at Hammer Smashed Sound.
-----
14. The Vomit Arsonist- "An Occasion for Death" (Malignant Records)
The melancholy drone and noise experimentation of The Vomit Arsonist caught me by surprise earlier this year and never really let go. It seems there's no occasion for which this album didn't feel appropriate this year. Read my review and go buy a copy.
-----
13. Swallowing Bile- "Wojtek" (Sounding Session)
To pick a single Swallowing Bile release and say "this is the one" is hard. This fresh project has already proven to be a powerhouse in the noise and power electronics communities, and "Wojtek" was the first of his albums I obtained this year. It also happened to be the one I've listened to most frequently. It's quite safe to say this is one of the only truly harsh releases I loved enough to include on this list, so if you're curious about more extreme sounds but aren't fully prepared for them, give this tape a listen and see if you're ready.
-----
12. Breathing Problem- "Reactive Attachment Disorder" (Wohrt Records)
Easily one of the most depressing and fluid power electronics releases of the year, "Reactive Attachment Disorder" was an early find for me and has remained as gripping as the first time I listened. While it's hard to recommend this for everybody, brave fans of the genre will find this tape incredibly rewarding. Read my review for full details.
-----
11. Crowhurst- "Memory Loss" (Self-Released)
After reviewing Crowhurst's ominous "Death Van" earlier this year, it was a pleasant surprise to find an even more thrilling release from this nebulous entity. What kind of music does Crowhurst perform? It depends on the release. With roots in noise, Crowhurst seems intent on spreading its horrifying little fingers in every direction. "Memory Loss" is some of the most detached yet focused work I've heard from this project to date. Listen and fall in love.
-----
10. Bodystocking- "Sheer Spidertouch" (Strange Rules)
As with most Strange Rules cassettes, it's rather unlikely this one will surface for purchase at any point in the near future, but I managed to snag a copy with great luck. This rather prolific side project from A Pregnant Light/Colloquial Sound Recordings mastermind is a dense, beautiful industrial endeavor and this (along with many releases on CSR sublabel Locust Leg) has captivated me in a way I may not have initially expected. The motion never stops. The beauty is more than superficial. Keep an eye out for more from Bodystocking, and don't expect it to last long when copies do surface.
-----
9. Synsophony- "Karmic Existence" (Acephale Winter Productions)
This free digital EP is one of the few releases I was uncertain about placing here rather than in my black metal section. Still, as an absolutely horrifying drone release, this absolutely belongs on this list and is one of the unsung albums of the year that I still can't believe didn't receive more attention. This absolutely deserves to be heard by everybody. Read my review for more information and get ready for a new EP in early 2014.
-----
8. Herukrat- "Anna Karina" (SVN OKKLT)
This tape is harsh noise wall with a purpose. Focused, obsessive, and in control, Herukrat guides the listener perfectly. My friend Tom at Metallic Imagery described this better than I ever could. Download this sold out cassette and lose your mind.
-----
7. Jason Hodge- "Hope Has Abandoned Us" (Enemata)
This heartbreaking, pensive cassette has been a frequent companion over the past year. Jason Hodge has released a few tapes this year, each of which has proven to be truly dynamic in its approach to noise. Like any of his works, this album feels fresh and Hodge's commitment to creating something unique is fulfilled through the course of his work. Read my complete review and grab a copy for yourself.
-----
6. Khfiva- "I" (Male Activity)
Shimmering beauty paired with depressing atmospheres. Khfiva's debut cassette's only weakness is how short it is. Read my complete review here, and visit my friend Tom at Metallic Imagery to download this long sold out gem.
-----
5. a death cinematic- "corrosions of traveled daydreams" (Tycho Magnetic Anomalies/Simple Box Construction)
As one of the most brilliantly packaged releases of the year, this should instantly appeal to anybody who gets into the visual component of owning music. As one of the most engaging and desolate experimental/drone cassettes released this year, this should have sold out a long time ago, but it hasn't. Get it if you haven't already. Read my complete review for more reasons you need this.
-----
4. Image of Life- "Weight Loss During Wartime/Walking in the Dark" (Chondritic Sound)
Easily one of the most frequently played 7" records in my collection, this one is two perfect tracks of coldwave brilliance. Whether it's the featured A-side's frantically catchy madness or the plodding gloom of B-side "Walking in the Dark," this one is absolutely amazing. For bonus giggles and enjoyment, slow things down and play it at 33 instead of 45--it gets super dark and totally fun. If only I could find a copy of their full-length cassette, I'd be quite happy.
-----
3. Tollund Men- "Virbius Abstract" (Nostilevo)
While Tollund Men managed to release two excellent tapes this year (possibly three, depending on the timeliness of the impending Total Black tape/shirt combo), it's safe to say that this one received more play in my house than pretty much the entire Tollund Men discography combined. While my very amateur interview with Neal touched on this release to some degree, I never gave it the proper review it deserves. I can't really put a genre to this music, but it's both melodic and uninviting at the same time. There's a heavy layer of distortion and reverb that seems to eat half the sound coming out, which only makes these four songs more intriguing, as multiple listens yield a deeper understanding of the music contained within. I seriously can't get enough of this tape and I imagine I'll be listening to it frequently well into 2014.
-----
2. Crown of Cerberus- "With Arms Extended to the Heavens" (Depravity Label)
Early this year I was almost certain that this would be my top album of the year, and I was almost right. The gorgeous A-side contrasts perfectly with the somewhat startling B-side, making for a thoroughly enjoyable experience. I wrote a lot of nice words about this tape over at Hammer Smashed Sound, and you should read them if you aren't convinced that you need this in your life simply by its high placement on this list.
-----
1. Tanner Garza- "Lucid" (Static Reason)
I feel it's almost wrong of me to feature the talented Mr. Garza twice in one list, but I'm doing it out of necessity. In almost direct contrast to the meandering madness of his other release on this list, "Lucid" is one of the warmest, most inviting albums I've had the pleasure of hearing all year. There are so many things I could say about this tape, but I've already said them on Hammer Smashed Sound, and I need not ramble any longer on this huge post.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)